Check protector



Nov. 24 1925. 1,562,591

K. Ross CHECK PROTECTOR Original Filed Nov. 20. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet. l

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5'1" l gy mm Nov. 24, 1925. 1,562,591

` K. Ross CHECK PROTECTOR Original Filed Nov. 20. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2i? l Z1 Z9 `54 Nov. 24, 1925. 1,562,591

K. Ross CHECK PROTECTOR Orgiixal Filed Nov'. 20,` 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 3DDDDD D [IUD (fi-MV1 59 0 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. Z4 1925. 1,562,591

K. Ross CHECK PROTECTOR Original Filed Nov. 20. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4zz/enm 604/ oss,

. M M fiii'orneys.

Nov. Z4, 1925. l K Ross 1,562,591

CHECK PROTECTOR Original Filed Nov.. 20, 1922 6 sheets-.sheet 5 Nov. 24,1925. 1,562,591

K. ROSS CHECK PROTECTOR original Filed Nov. zo, l1922 6 sheetsfsheet eINVENTOR.

lf2 ,/oss, BY

y uf M A TTORNEY'.

i ".'ented Nov. ,o

PATENT KARL ROSS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CHECK PRQTECTOR.

Application filed November 20, 1922, Serial No. 602,166.

To all Io/o//r t may concer/1i:

Be it known that I, Kann Ross, a former sub]l rt ot the Czar ot Russia(having declared his intention ot beconiingl a citizen ot the `UnitedStates), residing at Los Angeles, in the county ot Los Angeles and Stateoit Calitornia, have invented a new and useful Check Protector, of whichthe following is a specitication.

This invention relates to devices ot the character employed in stampingon checks the amount :tor which the check is made payable.

An object oit this invention is to provide a check protectorcomparatively small and compact in construction so that, it desired, it.may be readily carried in Jthe pocket.

Another object is to provide tor feeding ithe check different distancesaccording to the length ot the word that has been previously stampedthereon, thus enabling the words, designating the amount oi the chock,to closely tollow one another.

.iinother object is to ettect the foregoing by a novel construction.

Another object is to provide for ready insertion ot the check in thedevice.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

rlhe accompanying drawings illustrate the invention ligure 1 is aperspective view of a check protector constructed in accordance with thern'orisions ot' this invention, the slide being in its retractedposition.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the check protector shown in Figure l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken elevation troni the line indicated by h,Figure 2.

F' et is a lragrnental detail on the line indicated by lf-#1, Figure 2,the parts being shown in the positions they occupy when the slide isretracted.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail sinrilar to Figure L1 with the parts in thepositions they occupy when the slide is moved inwardly to stoppedposition.

F o is a sectional detail ot a fragment ot the stannping belt, and thedetent tor engaging the elements thereof.

1`ie. h the cieclf protector shown in the preceding views. the lower'section and casing being omitted.

Fig. S iis an enlarged broken detail, partly i' is an enlarged bottomplan view of Renewed May 25, 1925.

in section, viewed from the line 8 8, Figure Fig. 9 is an enlarged topplan view with a portion of the casing broken away to disclose thestamping belt.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view ot one of the staniping elements.

Fig. 11 is a bottoni plan view ct stamping element.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail on the dic-ated by l212 Figure 2.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation on the line indicated by 13-13 Figure9, the stamping belt being omitted.

Fig. 14 is an end elevation, partly in section on the line indicated byll-lh Figure 13, the stamping belt being in place.

Fig. l5 is a top plan detail of the inking device.

Fig. 16 is an end elevation illustrating` the two sections sepa-ratedfor insertion of the check, the operato1"s hand being indicated indotted lines.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing the sections in closedposition with the scoring or perforating rollers engaging the check.

Fig. 18 is a detail of the idler scoring or pertorating rollers andfragment ofa check on which they are operating. D

Fig. 19 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 13, excepting that theinking device is different.

F 20 is a sectional elevation on the line indicated by 2020, Fig. 19. 90

There is provided a housing comprising upper and lower sections 2 1. 22,separated tor the greater part of their .length by a space indicated at23, .see Figs. 13 and 16. One end oit the housing is semicircular, asindicated at and constitutes a spring member to yieldingly hold the.sections toward one another. The sections 21, 22 are coniined within acasing 241 having a slotlilge opening 242 in one edge. Slidably engagingthe section 22 is a slide 25 which is normally held retracted, that is,in position projecting considerably beyond the edge of the section 22,by coil'springs 2G that suln round studs 27 tiXed to the outer edge wallot the slide 25. The springs 26 are inserted in tubular guides 28secured to the section 22.

The slide is provided in its under face with a transversely extendingrack 29 which engages a, spur gear 30 loosely mounted on said line inashaft 31 that is journaled in bearings 32, 33 carried by the section 21,see Fig. 7. One end portion 34 of the gear 30 constitutes one member ofa ratchet clutch, the other member of said clutch being indicated at 35.Between the gear and bearing 32 is a coil spring 36 which holds theclutch member 34 toward the clutch member 35. The clutch member isintegral with one end of a check-feeding roller 37 which is loose on theshaft 31. The teeth of the clutch members 34, 35 are formed so that whenthe slide 25 is moved inwardly the roller 37 does not rotate, but theclutch effects rotation of said roller when the slide is retracted byeX- pansion of the springs 36.

Mounted in the section 21 is a guide comprising a plate 38 and endlessrails 381 spaced from the side margins of the plate to form ways 382 foran endless stamping belt 39. The stamping belt 39 comprises stampingelements 40, Figs. 10 and 11, preferably pivoted or hinged to oneanother as indicated at- 41. These stamping elements 40 are providedwith different words indicating different monetary values; for eX-ample, words representingnumbers from one to twenty inclusive, hundred,thousand, dole lars and cents. Of course, the words are of varyinglengths depending` on the number ot' letters in them. The letters arepreferably composed of fine lines slightly spaced as indicated at 42 inFigure 10, so that when the check is pressed against them said letterswill be cut or perforated into the check. Each of the stamping elements40 is provided adjacent the end of the last letter of the word thereonwith a pair of outstanding shoulders 43 along the longitudinal marginsof said element. The reason for this will appear hereinafter.

At one point the plate 38 is provided with a cam face 383 and each ofthe rails 381 is deflected as indicated at 44, see Fig. 13, so thatwhichever stamping element registers with the cani faces 383 and railportion 44 will be deflected below the level of the remaining elementsof the stamping belt. In alinement transversely with the deflectedportions 44 of the rails are guides 45 in the form of' rods, see Figs.4, 5 and 9, said guides being secured at one end to the slide 25.Slidably mounted on the guides 45 is a slotted slide 46 having at oneend a wedge 47. The opposite end of the slide 46, when the slide 25 ispressed inwardly, is adapted to be engaged by the shoulders 43 of thatstamping element which atl the time registers with the deflected portion44 ofthe guide rail. llVhen the slide 46 is thus moved, the wedges 47are driven between the upper Jface of the slide 25 and one end of alever 48 which is fulcrumed at 49 on the slide 25. The other endlof thelever 48 is held normally retracted by a spring 50 secured at one end tothe slide 25. -The spring 50 is provided with a detent 51 adapted, whenthe lever 48 is operated as above mentioned, to selectively engage theteeth of a toothed portion 52 of the section 22. The slide 46, when itcomes to a stop, after operating the lever 48, constitutes an abutmentwhich prevents further movement of the shoulder 43 and consequentlylimits inward movement of the slide. The notched portion 42 and detent51 are positioned some distance from the slide 46 so as to afford asecond stop to limit inward motion ot the slide in order that one end ofthe slide cannot be moved farther in than the other end thereof.

Fixed to the inner face of the outer edge wall of the slide 25 andextending through a slot 53 therein is a spring 54, see Figs. 7 and 8,and secured to said spring are members having at their free ends wedges56. lVhenthe spring 54 is-pressed inwardly it moves the members 55 andthus causes the wedges 56 to engage a shoulder 57 of the section 22,thus forcing the members 55 against cam faces 58 ot rocking members 586of the slide 2", thus to rock said members on a sha-ft or pivot 581toward the member 21.

The shaft 581 is journaled in bearings 582 fixed to the plate 584 of theslide 25 and on said shaft are guide rollers 583 that operate betweenthe slide plate 584 and rails 585 which constitute parts of the section21. The rocking members 586 are provided with vertical slots 587 throughwhich passes a stop pin 588, the lower ends of the slots constitutingabutments engaging the pin 588 to limit motion of the forward end of theslide away from the section 21.

Journaled in bearings 589 ot' the rocking members 586 forwardly of theshaft 581, sec Figs. 8 and 9, is a shaft 590 on which are mountedscoring rollers 59, 591. The roller 59 registers with the deflectedportion 44 of the guide rails so that that portion ot' the check,indicated at. a., which registers with the stan'iping element, that maybe aligned with the rail portion 44, will receive pressure from theroller 59 as the slide is moved inwardly, thus causing the letters onsaid stamping element to perfor-ate or he impressed in the check. Theroller 591 Scores or breaks the .libre ot the signature space of thecheck.

Bearing upon the per faces of the rocking members 586 :1re springs 68secured to the slide These springs tend to hold the liront ends ci: therocking members elevated so as to normally hold the rollers 59, 591,free of the check that is in the device.

-In Figs. 13 and 14, projecting from the upper face of the slide 25 is aslotted standard 60. the vertical slot 61 thereof being engaged by upperand lower shafts 62, 621.

lili) rear portions of the up- The shafts are provided With engagingracks 64 nieunted on ot vthe upper section 21. Thus movement oi theslide Q' etteets translation ot the shafts G2, and during thismoven'ient the spur gears e'tt'ect rotation ot Athe shafts. r`Theshui-'ts (S2, G21 are provided With linking rollers G5, 651,respectively,constructed ot suitable .material itor absorbing ink thatmay be suppliedmanualljv or autoniatically by ink` ing pads (Se mountedin cross members 67 supported b); the racks 6st-, such cross inem` bersbeing' at the forward end ot the path ot movement ot each et the rollersso that the inlringl rollers will receive inl; troni the pads at theforward evtren'iitj,T ot motion ot' aid rollers.

Non* referring more particularly to Figures 19 and 20, the inliiigmechanism ljust descrita-3d is omitted and in lieu thereof is thefollowing construction. Brushes G9 are stationarilyY mounted above theupper run et the stsn'ipingl belt in position to engage the stampingelements thereotI as the beltlllllCS.

Directly above the roller 37 is a roller TO mounted on a shaft 71-Whichis carried by the upper section 21. The rollers 37, :ire positioned nearone edge ot the housing, see Fi,.ures 16 and 17,and'positioned near theother edge oit' said housing :ire idler rollers T53, 7B mounted onshatts 'tf-i, L75, respectively, the sliatt Tf1 being carried by thesection 21 and the. sha'tt T5 by the section. 22. Preferably the rollersl2, 73 are lnurled or rougliened so as to produce an impression upon thecheek when the cheek is passed therebetween.v The corrugations or teethoit the roller Si' pre'lieiablgY interlit with the coi'- rue'atioiis orteeth oit the roller 70.

'lention has hereinbelore been made ot' the spring portion i211; tendingto hold the sections 21, 22 toward one another with the rollers T2, 73in Contact and the rollers 3?, Tt) in contact. When inseitinn the check,it will be more praetiealgile to `tirst separate the sections 21, Qasshown in Figures 13 and 16. l e'tl'eet this by providing a Wedge T6registering with the space 23 and mounted on a spring Z7 which issecured at 'one end to the upper section 2.1, said spring' tendiop tonorii'iall)7 hold the wedge 76 retracted as in .Figure 17. lllhen it isdesired to separate the sections, the operator will press upon thespring` T7 with his linger, somewhat es indicated in lliii'ure 1G, thusinserting the wedge. between the. sections 21, 22.

lt majY oe desirable, iecially when carrying-i' the cheek protector inthe pocket, to hold lthe slide 25 in its innermost position so as tomake 'the protector as compnet as posspur gears 63 the inner tace sible.For this purpose, there is provided an angular slotted'catch i8, therivet 'T9 by which the catch is secured in place extending` through the'slot St) in said catch. li/Then the catch is moved in one direction itthrows the upper end, constituting a stop 81, see Figures 3 and 7, intothe path ot movement ot the 4shoulder 82 on theslide Thus, when theslide is tion and then the catch 78 shifted, as just explaiiied, theslide will be held against retraction. When 'it is desired to releasethe slide the catch 78 Will be shifted in the opposite direction 'torelease the 'shoulder 82 troni the stop Sl.

J'ouinaled transversely in the plate 38 is zr shaft 83 provided on itsprojeetingouter ene 'With an operating` hnob Shseeligs; l, il', 13, 19and 20. To the shaft 83 are fixed a series ot' toothed wheels orsprockets 85, 8G. rllhe sprockets S5 adapted to engage end slots 8T inthe stamping elements 110 and the sprocket 8G is adapted to engageintermediate slots S8 in said stan'ipinp,-` elements.

rlhus when the knob 84 is turned it causes the stamping belt to lbeoperated `so as to shift"- the desired stai'nping element into properposition tor stamping upon" the cheek.

The'shal't 83 also carries a sprocket Wheel @EL the teeth ot which areada ated to enffao'e 4 a n 4 t.) J holes in an endless indicating beltSi provided with numerals, as indicated at 92 in Figure 1 ottlieLLraivings. The relative positions of the stamping elements and theendless belt 91 are such that, when `angr one ot the numerals 92registers with a pointer 93 projecting troni one 'edge of vthe openinii242, the stamping element having the correspondvingnumber .expressed bya Word or Words will be .in registration with the track portion tl readytor the stan'ipingi` operation. The belt 91 passes around idler pulleys9-'1v rotatabl)7 mounted atA the opposite ends ot the slot 242.

ln order that the operator may know when any particular stampingelement. is in exact position iter the stamping' operation and toreleasalily hold said eleiiient in such position, there is `lii'eterablvsecured to the plate portion 38?) a siringgI detent zulapted to clickinto the slots 88 ot the stamping,` eleinents Ais said elements aresuecessiveh7 brought into position to register said slots with saiddetent. The edges ot' the slo: 88 are beveled sullilcient so thatrotation ot the stamping' belt can be effected by turi'iingi` the hnob'fi/l; to compress the detent into a slot 96 in the fac-e ot the plateportion 383, see Figure 13. l Y

The check protector deseribed above operates as follows: rthe operatorrasps the cheek protector in the hand somewhat utter the mannerindicated in Figure 16, predire ing' pressure upon the spring-7'( so asto insert the Wedge 76 betweenthoseetions 211 22. He then inserts theclieelr d in the space between said sections 21, 22 and forces saidcheek along between the idler rollers 72, 73

moved to its innermost -posititl until said check is in correctposit-ion for haring the amount tor which it is payable stamped in theproper place thereon. Having manipulated the knob Se to move thestamping element haring the desired Word thereon into registration withan opening 97 in the upper section 2l, said opening being adjacent therail portion lill, the operator will grasp the device somewhat after themanner disclosed in Figure 17 and will produce )ressure upon the springoil. This, as has hereinbe'tore been described, rocks the members 586oitl the slide so as to bring the rollers 59, 591 to bear upon thecheck. The operator increases the pressure upon the slide sutlicientlyto move the slide inwardly until the abutments et@ engage the shoulderst3 of the stamping` element that is aligned with the opening 97. As theslide moves inwardly the rollers 59, 591 pertorate or breal; the fiberot the paper ot the check, the roller 59 pressing the check against theletters of the stan'iping element and the roller 591 scoring thesignature place on the check so as to make it impossible to alter thesignature Without detection.

`When the slide has thus come to a stop, the operator Will reduce thepressure upon the slide so as to permit the springs 26 to retract saidslide and the parts mounted thereon. This retractive movement ot theslide eli'ects feeding o't the check only the distance corresponding tothe length ot the Word that has been stamped, as hereinbeiore explained.It' another Word is to be stamped upon the check, the operator willmanipulate the knob 841 to properly register the stamping element havingthereon the desired word and he will then ettect the foregoing describedoperations as before so as to stamp said word upon the check. rlheseoperations will be continued until the tull amount ot the check has beenstamped thereon. rlhe check will then be Withdrawn from the protectorand, it desired, to Yfacilitate this operation thel wedge 'To may againbe thrust between the elements il 22.

l claim:

l. in a check protector, the combination ot a housing comprising spacedsections, a stamping belt. rotatably mounted in one ot the sections, aslide sbittably mounted in the other section, and a roller mounted onthe slide and operatal'ile by movement ot the slide to traverse aportion oit the stamping belt.

ln a check protector, the combination oit a. housing, a stamping beltrotatably mounted in the housing, a. slide shi'ttably mounted in thehousing, and a roller mounted on the slide and operatable by inoycn'ientoit the slide to traverse a portion ot the stan'iping belt.

3. ln a checi protector', the combination ot a housing7 a Stamping beltrotatably mounted in the housing, a slide shittably mounted in thehousing and having a roel'- ing member, means on the slide to eii'ectrocking of the rocking member, and a roller mounted on the rockingmember and operatable by movement of the slide to traverse a portion ofthe stamping belt.

il. In a check protector, the combination ot a housing, a stamping beltrotatably mounted in the housing, a slide shittably mounted in thehousing and having a rocking member, means on the slide operatable bypressure ot the operators hand to ettect rocking of the rocking member,and a roller mounted on the rocking member and operatable by incrementot the slide to traverse a portion ot the stamping belt.

5. In a Check protector, thel combination oit a. housing. a stampingbelt rotatably mounted in the housing, a slide shiftably mounted in thehousing and having a rocking member, mea-ns on the slide including awedge operatable by pressure of the operators hand to etlect rocking otthe rocking member, and roller mounted on the rocking member andoperatable by movement of the slide to traverse a portion of thestamping belt.

6. ln a check protector, the combination ot a housing. a stamping beltrotatably mounted in the housing, a slide shiitably7 mounted in thehousing. a roller mounted on the slide and operatable by inward movementot the slide to traverse a portion ot the belt, a shaft mounted on thehousing. a check-feeding roller on said sha'lit, means yieldinglyholding the slid(` retracted. and means operatable by the slide during`its retractive motion toeffect rotation ot the cheek-"Feeding roller`said means being inoperative by the slide during inward n1ovementthereoit.

7. In a check protector, the combination ot a housing; a stamping` beltrotatably mounted in the housingand con'iprisine a plurality of stampingelements, there being ditferent Words on the stan'iping elements,shoulders atthe ends ot the Words on the stan'iping elements, a Islideshiitably mounted in the housing, an abutment on the slide.l

means to oiierate the belt to aline. any our. ot the shoulders with thealnitnient, a' roller moimtcd on thev slide and (u nnatable by movement.oit the slide io tra versc the stamping element alined with theabut-ment, the abutment being moved into enga gement With the shoulderby inward movement of the slide, means to retract the slide` and meansoperatablc by the slide during its reti-active motion to ettect teedingot a check across the stamping belt, said means being inoporative by theslide during` inward n'ioveinent thereot.

tl. ln a chef:

l: protector, the combination oi a housing, a stamping belt rotatablyloo llt)

mounted in. the housing; und connprisinn' n pluruliti7 ot stampingelements, there being' diil'lierent words on the stamping' elements, :islide shittnbly mounted in the housing, cooperating ineens on thestamping eleinei'ils und slide to limit inward movement oit the slide todistances correspondingl to the lengths ot the words on the stempingelements, n roller mounted on the slit e und operateble by movement otthe slide to traverse u portion oit the stamping' belt, und ineensoperntnble bji' the slide duringits outward motion to etlect feeding ot'the check nero-ss the stnmping` belt. said menus beine' inopeiu4- tiveby the slide during' inwzird inoven'ient thereof". Y

9. In n check protectoru the combinntion ol" s housing' comprising'sections yielding'ly held toward each other: rollers mounted on theadjacent feces oit the si ftions, ineens operutuble to more the sectionsewuv from euch other to permit the insertion oit' e cli-eelt between therollers, und ineens in the housing' operuteble to stamp the check.

l0. In e check protector, the combination ot' u housing' con'iprisinig`lctions .vieldinn'ly held toward euch other. n stamping element mountedin the housing. n shi t'tnbljv mounted slide. n roller on the slideoperating' to treverse the stamping' element when the slide is moved,1end ineens operutuble to move the sections ziwuxl trom euch other toperinit the insertion or". n check between the stamping' element androller.

1l.. In e check protector, the ooinbinntion otI e housing comprisingsections yielding-ly held toward euch other, u stomping element mountedin the housing', e shiit'teblv mounted slide having u rocking member, s,roller on the slide, ineens operateble to rock the rocking member tomove the roller toward the stamping element, .uid roller traversing thestamping clement when the slide is moved, rollers mounted on theudjucent 'feces oit the sections, and .ineens opereteble to move thesections away from euch other to permit the insertion ot' u checkbetween the lust named rollers.

12. lfn n check protector, the combinntion ot n housing, a stampinglbelt l'mving :i plu rulit)7 of stampingl elements und rotutebh7 mountedin the housing', euch ot seid stan-'uiingI elements having' e slot, uspring' detent mounted in the housing in the peth of travel of theslots, operating' means for the belt, und means to press u check againstthe stamping belt.

13. ln e check protector,- the combination ci" e housing, e stampinglbelt heving e plurnlity of stamping elements and rotatably mounted `inthe housing, euch ot seid stemping elements having e slot, e rotatablymounted she-tt, e toothed Wheel. on the shet' to engage the slotssuccessively to move the belt, und means to press a check against thestamping belt.

14e. In u check protector, the combinetion of a housing', e stampingbelt havin-g' e plurality of stamping elements and rotatably mounted inthe housing, the stempingl elements having thereon Words of dil- Jferentlengths, shoulders on the elements et the ends oit the words, e slideshiftnblv mounted in the housing, e member sliifftebly mounted on theslide and having n wedge at one end und forming an abutment et its otherend to engage the shoulder ot one ot the stamping elements when theslide is moved inward, a lever to receive the thrust ot the wedge, u,spring tendingl to hold the lever against the Wedge to retract saidwedge, e toothed portion for the housing, e detent on the spring, toenge-ge the toothed portion when the lever is operated by the wedge, endu roller carried by the slide and adapted to traverse any one of thestemping elements according us the belt is moved to position to registerthe stun'iping elements with seid roller.

Signed at Los Angeles, Californie, this 13th dey ot November, 1922.

KARL ROSS.

